This is a blog that Andy has written to describe his battle with cystic fibrosis. Andy is 40 years old and is married to his beautiful bride Andrea and has two miracle children, Avery and Ethan. Andy appreciates each day and hopes to show the doubters that in his world CF stands for Can Fight!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Game 7 of the NLCS in 1992: the sad truth

Everyone remembers where they were when Sid Bream scored the Game Winning Run of Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS that propelled the Braves to the World Series. I had a friend of mine tell me the story of where he was and the events that transpired while watching it. No one has ever asked me to recall that memory and describe where I was. I’m happy about that.

The night that Francisco Cabrera lined a single between short and third was the single greatest moment in Braves history and one of their biggest fans was nowhere to be found. I was in my room by myself. The TV was muted and I was sick and depressed. That was during the time where I would not leave my room and I wanted to kill myself. I watched as the winning run scored and then I shut off the TV only to hear people in my fraternity house screaming. Instead of joining them, I put my head back on my couch and cried. I knew I’d missed a huge moment that people would be talking about for years. I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk about it in the same light. In fact, this is the first time I’m really discussing it.

I later bought a picture of the Sid Bream run-scoring play but I didn’t buy it to remember the night the Braves went to the World Series. I bought it as a reminder of how awful I felt then. Unfortunately it hasn’t stopped me from coping in a horrible way or from getting more depressed but still it serves as a reminder of how bad things can get if you don’t take control of your life.

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About Me

I have cystic fibrosis. I have a beautiful wife and 2 great kids that my wife and I had through IVF since CF caused me to be infertile. I just finished my new book which will be in bookstores next year. I'm also a motivational speaker and fundraiser. I have spoken all over the U.S. and recently spoke in Wexford, Ireland. My event, A Wish for Wendy, has raised over $1.25 million in 12 years. I ran with the Olympic Torch in 2001. I speak to several groups about cystic fibrosis as well as my bouts with depression. I became the first board member of the Georgia CF Foundation to have cystic fibrosis. My dad and I started the Wish for Wendy Foundation in memory of my sister Wendy who passed away from CF. While CF has brought a lot of pain to my life, I feel very fortunate for the people I have in my life. I have written 3 books already. The Drive at 35 is my third book and hopefully the best. This memoir talks about my issues with CF, depression and many other items. The book has forewords from Garth Brooks and Celibe Dion. If anyone is interested in my book, please e-mail me at andy@andylipman.com.